THE Air Force expects to conduct regular patrols over the West Philippine Sea with the acquisition of long-range patrol aircraft and an air defense system.

Lt. Gen Oscar Rabena, Air Force commander, said the acquisition of the aircraft and the radar system, which will be assisted by two multipurpose helicopters, will also allow the Air Force to monitor activities in the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea.

The purchase of the new assets for the Air Force was included in the P42-billion, five-year defense budget of the Aquino administration.

The amount is separate from the P11 billion that President Aquino earlier gave to the Armed Forces after the Spratlys issue with the claimant countries, particularly China, heated up.

Part of the P11 billion will be used to repair the Rancudo Air Field on Pagasa Island in the Spratlys. Work will begin as soon as the weather improves, according to the Armed Forces Western Command chief, Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban.

Rabena said the Air Force is currently helping the Navy in patrolling the West Philippine Sea through the use of OV-10 “Bronco” armed observation aircraft.

Aside from the radar system, long- range aircraft and helicopters, Rabena said the Air Force is expecting the delivery of the two C-130 “Hercules” cargo planes that are currently undergoing maintenance checkup and repair.

“One of them is undergoing depot maintenance level in our maintenance wing. We hope it will come out in August or September. The other one is undergoing maintenance in the US, it will be coming in September,” he said.

When the two C-130s were delivered, the Air Force will have three such aircraft.

Palace committed to equipping military

“THE Aquino administration is committed to give adequate operational support to government troops to help the military carry out its missions,” said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

“Today we have a Commander in Chief who is committed to providing you the support you need to allow you to perform your duties to the best of your abilities,” Ochoa said at the conclusion of the Air Power Symposium of the Air Force on Friday.

The reforms, he said, are part of the 16-point agenda of President Aquino that is envisioned to reenergize and transform a demoralized but dedicated military, police and civil service to professional and motivated bureaucracies equipped with means to perform their public-service missions.

Ochoa lamented the plight of the Air Force, which is the most dependent on equipment among the military’s major services.

“It goes without saying that our pilots are some of the best in the world, whether they fly for the country or for a commercial airline. But no matter how great our pilots are, their capabilities can only be exploited if they have the equipment that can do them justice,” Ochoa pointed out.

He stressed that the President is aware of the need to upgrade the equipment and capabilities of the Armed Forces, noting that one of the priority bills the Palace is pushing is a legislation that would extend the life of the Armed Forces Modernization Program until 2025 to enable the military develop and put in place capabilities that can address threats to national security.

Part of this proposed measure authorizes the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces to forge contracts of sale, lease and joint venture involving real properties owned by the military or pursue public-private partnerships in order to raise funds for the modernization program.

As chairman of the Cabinet cluster on security, justice and peace, Ochoa said he is committed to realizing and implementing the programs and reforms laid down by the President.

He cited military reforms that have been instituted by the administration, among them the comprehensive review of the financial management systems within the Armed Forces to ensure the full implementation of the defense program and that funds earmarked for this purpose are spent judiciously. --With Recto Mercene